Leading Ukrainian media accuses Zelenskyy’s office of attempts of silencing
The Media Movement, a coalition of Ukrainian journalists and media organizations, has called on President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to take immediate action against media pressure by state officials, demanding transparency, open communication, and unobstructed access to crucial public information.
Ukrainska Pravda, one of Ukraine’s most influential online media outlets, has accused the President’s Office of intimidating advertisers against placing ads in the publication, thus depriving it of vital income, and of pressuring government officials to not speak with the publication and shun its events.
This has led to a pushback from Ukrainian civil society. The Media Movement, a media coalition advocating journalistic integrity, has called on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to stop any pressure on the media and provide the press with unhindered access to information important to the public.
In Ukraine, freedom of speech is both vital and challenged, especially amidst the ongoing war with Russia. While the country has made significant progress in democratic reforms and media freedoms since 2014, the war has led to some government-imposed restrictions, sparking concerns about censorship and press freedom.
In an interview with the Institute for Mass Communication, the chief editor of Ukrainska Pravda, Sevgil Musaieva, provided details about the pressure they are experiencing.
Musaieva claimed the President’s Office has been calling advertisers and asking them not to place ads in the outlet, as well as preventing government officials from participating in the outlet’s event.
“Our last event was dedicated to exports, and four participants withdrew on the day of the event. […] I see this as a form of economic pressure on the editorial team,” Musaieva said.
Musaieva also said they are aware that the owner of Ukrainska Pravda received offers to sell the publication, but he refused.
“I consider this an attempt to pressure the editorial team,” said the chief editor.
On 9 October, Ukrainska Pravda announced ongoing systemic pressure from the President’s Office on the editorial team and journalists. The media outlet claimed that Dmytro Lytvyn, the president’s communications advisor, is blocking speakers from communicating with Ukrainska Pravda journalists and participating in interviews and events.
- In January, the Media Movement spoke out against intimidation tactics by the Security Service against independent investigative journalists digging into state corruption. Aside from provocations and smear attempts, the targeting includes surveillance, phone wiretapping, and violations of journalists’ right to privacy.
- In April, the Media Movement raised the alarm about a string of information attacks on the independent public broadcaster Suspilne.
- In May, the state-owned Ukrinform saw an exodus of experienced journalists as a Presidential Office-appointed chief was accused of imposing Yanukovych-era censorship.
Ukrainska Pravda is a Ukrainian online media outlet founded by journalist Georgiy Gongadze in April 2000. After Gongadze’s death, in 2014 Sevgil Musaieva became the chief editor.
The murder of Georgiy Gongadze in the fall of 2000, who openly protested against increasing state censorship, drew international attention to the state of press freedom in Ukraine and sparked protests against former President Leonid Kuchma in 2000-2001.
In July 2016, Ukrainska Pravda journalist Pavlo Sheremet was killed in an explosion. As of 2020, those responsible for the killing of Gongadze and Sheremet remain unidentified.
